LEVOGYRATE Meaning and
Definition
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Levogyrate is an adjective that is commonly used in the field of chemistry and physics to describe a substance or compound that has a specific property of rotating the plane of polarized light to the left or counterclockwise. The term comes from the combination of the Latin word "laevus" meaning "left" and the word "gyrate" meaning "to rotate."
In scientific terms, when a substance is considered levogyrate, it means that the direction of its molecular structure causes the polarization plane of light waves to rotate to the left as it passes through the substance. This property is often denoted by the symbol "-α" or "+α," with the negative symbol indicating counterclockwise rotation and the positive symbol for clockwise rotation.
Levogyrate substances are generally distinguished from dextrorotatory, or dextrogyrate, substances, which rotate the plane of polarized light in the opposite direction, to the right or clockwise. The specific rotation of a levogyrate compound is typically measured using a polarimeter, which determines the angle of rotation produced by the substance.
This term is particularly significant in the pharmaceutical industry, where knowledge of the optical rotation of chemicals is essential for drug discovery, manufacturing, and quality control. Levogyrate and dextrorotatory compounds can have different physiological effects, and their separation is crucial in certain medicinal applications.
Common Misspellings for LEVOGYRATE
- kevogyrate
- pevogyrate
- oevogyrate
- lwvogyrate
- lsvogyrate
- ldvogyrate
- lrvogyrate
- l4vogyrate
- l3vogyrate
- lecogyrate
- lebogyrate
- legogyrate
- lefogyrate
- levigyrate
- levkgyrate
- levlgyrate
- levpgyrate
- lev0gyrate
- lev9gyrate
Etymology of LEVOGYRATE
The word "levogyrate" is derived from the combination of two Latin words: "levo" meaning "left" or "to the left" and "gyro" meaning "to turn" or "to revolve".
In chemistry, "levogyrate" is used to describe a substance or molecule that rotates the plane of polarized light to the left or counterclockwise. The term is commonly associated with the direction in which a molecule rotates when passing through a polarimeter. The prefix "levo-" is used to indicate the left-hand direction, similar to the word "sinister" which is derived from Latin and also means "left" or "unlucky".
Overall, the etymology of "levogyrate" reflects its Latin origins and its specific meaning in the context of chemistry.
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